"The local laws that we have, they can make rules on the number of dogs and also restrict some areas for holding dogs and cats out of those areas, but there's no control on breeds," councillor Wilson said.

Premier John Brumby has hinted at the introduction of tougher laws. However, the Australian Kennel Council says that will do little.

The council's Dr Peter Higgins says more rangers are needed to protect communities against dangerous dogs.

"The problem is, people are too thin on the ground, rangers are overworked, there's not enough of them and that's where the problem lies," Dr Higgins said.

"Putting in new laws really isn't going to fix the problem, it might make some politicians feel good but it's not going to fix the problem."